Colleague Spotlight: Kate

Our colleagues are what truly make Elim a great place to work. We have some amazing individuals who have a real passion for what they do. Recently, we got the chance to sit down with Kate, Supported Housing Officer for our Bristol Parents Alliance. Kate works with young parents on their path to independent living. Below we find out a little bit more about what makes her career to date:

What does your role entail?
I Support families through their Elim journey to independent living. During this process I will support with all manner of housing needs from setting up a first tenancy – rent, council tax and utilities. I liaise between residents and Bristol City Council HomeChoice regarding independent housing.
I also work with partner agencies to ensure families are put in contact with health and social care professionals and the local Children Centre/schools.

What are the top three personal qualities your role requires?
Organisation, I have found It important when working in a busy office to have skills in being able to manage my diary and workload as this ensures each family member is able to receive a similar level of direct contact with me.

Good Communication, I work with single teenagers, adults, young families, and older families all of whom have a support need or requirement. I have needed to set the support I offer against the presenting need, however it can take time for residents to feel safe and confident to be able to talk through or raise a problem. Having good communication skills enables me to advocate on behalf of the residents that I support.

Resilience, There are occasions when I have needed to adapt to difficult and challenging situations, I have found it useful to recognise that negative behaviour is often an immediate response made when somebody feels anxious or out of their comfort zone. I have a positive working relationship with my colleagues and manager which is a source of great support to me.

What has been your career highlight whilst at Elim?
I worked closely with a family who came through Elim via emergency accommodation after discharge from a rehab unit. There was a multi-agency approach to support which lasted until the child was assessed to be having their needs met. I was able to support with career, education, debt and financial support for moving and life skills training. Towards the end of the tenancy, I was able to undertake some reflective work, which I was told had helped with understanding how different agencies had supported her to take full responsibility for her son and live independently.

Can you tell us about a time you supported a resident to achieve their best move?
I supported a family to clear a significant amount of debt which had become a barrier to them accessing support, this enabled a suspended HomeChoice account to be activated. I negotiated with Bristol City Council on behalf of the family enabling them to move on. When the family moved, they had cleared £8,000 debt.

Can you tell us about some challenges you face in your role and how you overcome them?
I have been working for Elim Housing for nearly 4 years, in this time I have managed many difficult situations, however regardless of the situation I have been supported by my Elim colleagues each and every time.

There was a particularly hard event where a family I was supporting suffered a bereavement when their new-born child passed away. While family, friends and community rallied to offer support, I was able to provide a safe place for the father to talk of his son, display his emotions, and sit quietly. I was told by the father he did not want his family to feel the need to support him when they were already consumed with grief, he later said he benefited from the support he knew I was able to give him. I continue to see this family who live only a few minutes away.

What do you get out of your role with Elim?
I get a great deal of job satisfaction, from the number of families that I have been able to support into independent living. There is a diverse culture at our project that ensures that I can continue to learn and advance my professional development.

I have been able to work collaboratively with my colleagues from whom I am forever being educated, and I believe best practice can be achieved by working together. I have formed a strong working relationship with my manager who I can talk openly with and learn from, which has enabled me to become a better Supported Housing Officer.

Any advice for someone looking to get into a career in supported housing?
The role of a Supported Housing Officer within Elim Housing enables you to work closely with families, supporting them through life’s challenges, whilst giving encouragement to achieve positive results as they move into independent accommodation.

With regard to my colleagues and residents it means being available and knowledgeable, able to listen and display empathy, ask questions and seek support, while always inspiring each other to achieve their full potential.

If you're considering a career in Housing and would like to find out more about our Supported Housing Officer roles, please visit our recruitment page or call us on 01454 411172.

Find out more about our services for young parents here.